Page 150 of The Me I Left Behind

The server smiled and nodded. “Got it.”

Julia leaned across the table toward Maggie. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, Mags.”

Julia knew most everything that had transpired, anyway. She’d just not had the opportunity, yet, to talk much to Lia and Alice.

“No, it’s fine. Lilly was awesome, actually. She got caught up in Max’s shit just like me, but she’s young and will survive. Little Leo, her son, is a stinker.”

“Goodness,” Lia interjected. “The way Chloe loves little Gracie, she will probably be obsessed when she finds out she has a baby brother. Belle and Zach said earlier that Chloe was stuck to Gracie like glue.”

Maggie could easily imagine that. “I hope she’s not making a pest of herself. I really do appreciate them taking on two more kids for the week.”

Lia batted the air. “Oh, piece of cake. Belle’s in her element.” She stared for a moment. “Does Chloe know, though? About Leo.”

“She knows there is a child.” To be honest, that thought hadn’t crossed Maggie’s mind. “Interesting thought, though. Carol sure was taken with him. Maybe I should have her talk to Chloe.”

“How did Jason react?” Julia plucked the last piece of shrimp from the cocktail appetizer and popped it in her mouth.

“With the same indifference he’s reacting to everything else. Poor child. He wanted his dad’s attention so bad—that is, until Max… Well, you know.” She didn’t want to dredge up that last day Max had popped into her kitchen.

Julia patted her hand. “No. Not going there. This is beach week.”

“Do you think you will see her again? Lilly, I mean. And Leo?” Alice asked.

Maggie let her mind wander over that question. “You know, I actually want to see her again. I liked her. And Carol just completely fell in love with Leo.” She thought for a moment. “And Brisbane was lovely. I want to go back and explore.”

Alice grinned. “Hey, you should invite Lilly to beach week next year.”

All the women stared at her.

“Not cool, Alice,” Julia said.

Lia fiddled with her napkin. “Beach week is sacred. It’s only for us. Right?”

Maggie agreed and nodded. “Lilly is not a beach week girl. Now, would I invite her to Tuckaway Bay for vacation? So she and Leo could meet Jason and Chloe, and spend more time with Carol and me? I’d definitely do that. But not beach week. No, ma’am.”

“Of course, you all are right. Mouth engaging before brain.” Alice met all their gazes. “So, Maggie, you’re still glad you took Carol?”

“Definitely, Alice. We both needed the closure. Cleaning out Max’s condo, and then spending time with Lilly and Leo, and her nanny Poppy, who is a hoot by the way, was something we both needed to do. Honestly, I feel good about the whole situation.”

Alice looked thoughtful. “So, Julia told us about the scandal, by the way, while you were gone. I can’t even believe we didn’t know Max was married before you. And that investigation into his wife’s death? I keep wondering why we didn’t read about that in the papers?”

“Probably because it happened before I knew him,” Maggie said. “None of us were exactly news junkies back then. Besides, we were young and busy.”

“I guess you are right.” Alice said. “Is the estate all settled now?”

“Geez, Alice.” Lia punched Alice’s arm. “You writing a gossip column or something?”

“No, why?”

“Kinda nosy?”

Alice looked shocked.

Maggie chuckled. “It’s okay. We wrapped it up last week. The trust fund for the kids is all set. All four children are beneficiaries of Max’s trust fund—yes, including Leo. Everything has cleared probate. I have the house, the Escalade, and the money he had inthe bank. His bills are paid, and the business is dissolved. While I’m not sure what I’ll do with the house, I’ll probably sell the SUV soon and get Carol a car for school. I might consider selling and downsizing in a year or so. I want to let things settle first.”

“I think that’s smart.” Julia’s head bobbed in agreement.

Lia reached for Maggie’s hand. “It sounds like most everything is resolved.”